Aunzo cards 68, moves up to 14th

MANILA, Philippines - Ferdie Aunzo shot a solid four-under par 68 to jump from 31st to joint 14th halfway through the Myanmar Open paced by Japanese Tetsuji Hiratsuka at the Pun Hlaing Golf Club in Yangon, Myanmar yesterday.

Aunzo, one of the country’s rising stars, rattled off three birdies at the backside from where he started then bucked a bogey on No. 2 with birdies on Nos. 4 and 6 for a 35-33 card.

Counting his earlier 70, Aunzo pooled a six-under 138 although he stood nine strokes behind Hiratsuka, who continued to dish out fine form with a 65 for a 15-under 129.

That was five shots ahead of compatriot Hideto Tanihara who had a 134 after a 66, and Thai Prayad Marksaeng, who fired a 68.

Juvic Pagunsan, the top Filipino placer at 14th in the first round, struggled with a 73 after a 68 and tumbled down to joint 42nd in the $300,000 event serving as the fifth leg of the Asian Tour.

Mars Pucay carded a 71 to gain a share of 27th at 140 while Tony Lascuña barely made it to the weekend play with a 70 and a 143, the cut-off score.

Marvin Dumandan, winner of the second leg of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, shot a 70 but missed the cut with a 144 while Artemio Murakami also failed to advance with a 145 after a 70.